Notice About Enhanced Surveillance of BSE in Healthy CattleFSIS issued Notice 63-05 to establishments that have entered the Healthy Cattle Sample Collection Agreement. The notice addresses the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) intentions to implement an enhanced surveillance program for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

APHIS personnel are expected to collect 20,000 brain samples from apparently healthy adult cattle 30 months of age and older presented at slaughter. Notice 63-05 provides instructions to FSIS personnel on their involvement and responsibilities at the establishments that APHIS selects to participate in its sample collection program.

APHIS will conduct all sample selection and collection from apparently healthy cattle, and will work with each establishment to develop a sampling plan, which will include information on when, where and how samples will be collected. APHIS will also document its agreement with the selected establishments with the Healthy Cattle Sample Collection Agreement.

FSIS will continue to collect brain samples from all antemortem condemned cattle including non-ambulatory disabled and animals showing signs of Central Nervous System disease as instructed in FSIS Notice 28-04.

A copy of Notice 63-05 can be found online at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/63-05.pdf (PDF Only).

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Const_Update_100705/index.asp

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE

WASHINGTON, DC

63-05 9/28/05 FSIS NOTICE

APHIS SAMPLING OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY ADULT CATTLE FOR THE

ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FOR BSE

NOTE: This notice only pertains to inspection program personnel who have been

notified by APHIS that their establishment has entered into a Healthy Cattle